EXCLUSIVE: A Labour MP has written to Meta after setting up an experimental teen account on Instagram was horrified when vile antisemitic comments started appearing in just 11 minutes
A Labour MP who set up an experimental teen account on Instagram was horrified when vile antisemitic comments started appearing in just 11 minutes.
Melanie Ward is taking the fight to Meta, which owns Instagram and Facebook, after a clip featuring a banned “Manosphere” influencer was shown to the 17-year-old’s account.
She has accused the tech firm of deliberately misleading parents and MPs over the effectiveness of their Teen Account feature.
During her experiment in March, the MP scrolled through the feed and despite not following any accounts or searching for any profiles was shown a video featuring influencer Sneako.
The clip showed the controversial American figure engaging in a live stream discussion in which his guest said wealthy Jewish business people “probably have Mossad links”. Mossad is Israel’s intelligence agency.
Sneako, 27, whose real name is Nicolas Kenn De Balinthazy, featured in Louis Theroux’s recent Netflix Manosphere documentary which investigates a growing ultra-masculine network of controversial online influencers.
He has a history of promoting antisemitic messages, including being filmed singing Kanye West’s condemned song Heil Hitler in a nightclub alongside other influencers like Andrew Tate.
Ms Ward, who supports a social media ban for under 16s, has written to Shruti Dube, Meta’s UK Country Director, demanding a meeting with her and warning Meta it has a duty not to push young and impressionable users towards harmful, hateful or radicalising content.
In the letter, Ms Ward – the MP for Cowdenbeath and Kirkcaldy – said: “The content shown to the account that I created was deeply concerning and represents an inroad into a world of racially motivated conspiracy theories and hatred, particularly geared towards young, impressionable boys, that has no place in our society.
“I did not search for any key terms nor did I follow any accounts, yet Instagram’s algorithm showed this antisemitic conspiracy theory to me after just 11 minutes.
“If a college was found to be showing students videos of this nature, there would be outrage. But yet, as a multi-national tech giant, you act with impunity whilst claiming that your safeguarding features make sure that what kids see is age appropriate.
“This experience makes clear that Meta’s existing safeguards are falling short, and that more must be done to protect young people in their important formative years.”
Instagram introduced Teen Accounts for youngsters aged 13-17 in 2024 to limit who can contact teens and to restrict the content they see.
The Government will soon outline plans to strengthen social media safety measures for children after a three-month consultation on its next steps.
Under the plans, children face a social media ban, restrictions on addictive design features a overnight curfews.
Keir Starmer on Friday vowed to take on tech firms in protecting kids online. He told LBC: “The message to the tech companies was very simple, which is, nobody’s getting a free pass here. Things are going to change. I was very clear with them. That’s why I wanted to see them. I’m absolutely clear.”
Meta has been contacted for comment. It’s understood the online giant is in touch with Ms Ward regarding her concerns.